James ''Jimmy'' R. Parker Iii

James R. Parker III, age 62, of Bel Air, MD passed away peacefully on April 24, 2012. Born March 22, 1950 in Norfolk, VA, he was the son of the late James Robert Parker Jr. and Elaine Jeanne Charland Parker. A longtime Maryland resident, he had a great passion for golf, fine coffee, and high achievement of all types--physical, mental, and spiritual. He worked for the Poole & Kent Company for over 20 years where he retired as a contract negotiator. He loved his family with all his heart and took especially great pride in his children and grandchildren. He was known and respected by hundreds of people from many areas of his life, particularly his dear friends at Happy Hour at St. Mary's Episcopal Church.

Jimmy was an exceptionally strong man who fought a fierce and mighty battle against multiple cancers for more than 17 years. He was relentlessly positive and always found a way to savor each day regardless of circumstance. His remarkable strength of mind, body, and spirit shone brightly as an inspiration and role model to everyone he encountered.

Mr. Parker is survived by his son, James R. Parker IV and wife, Susan, of Roswell, GA; daughters, Jennifer H. Patrick and husband, Mike, of Abingdon, MD and Lauren Wicks and husband, Brandon, of Fayetteville, PA; brother, David Parker and wife, Peggy, and sister, Elaine Parker, all of Goldsboro, MD; and seven grandchildren--Chad, Katelyn and Justin Patrick, McKenzie and Madison Wicks, and Stephen and Jordan Parker.

In lieu of flowers, Jimmy wishes that gifts in his memory be directed to support the research of Dr. Julie Brahmer, his primary oncologist throughout his journey. Make checks payable to Johns Hopkins University along with a memo indicating that the gift is in memory of Jimmy Parker to Dr. Julie Brahmer at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, 100 North Charles Street, Suite 234, Baltimore, MD 21201. Gifts may also be made online at http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/kimmel_cancer_center/our_center/charitable_giving/.